Number of Saltwater vs Freshwater LFS's

[wmv]

Hi everyone,

I heard a stat recently but I don't remember where it was. I believe it may have been a Tidal Gardens Livestream (Always a good time) but I can't find it now so I'm hoping someone here can help.

I believe the stat was saltwater specific fish stores out number freshwater specific fish stores 2 to 1 in the U.S. I don't remember if that's the exact stat and I'm having a hard time finding any information like this online. It's crazy to think about considering how much more widespread freshwater fish keeping is which is why I want to read more into this. If anyone has any information that they can share/link on this or remembers hearing this stat as well and can correct me that would be very helpful.

Also if anyone has any ideas as to why this might be the case (provided the stat is accurate) I'd love to know why.

 

[snorklr]

i think its more a case of reef stores are saltwater only or salt and fresh while freshwater only stores no longer seem to exist and instead are part of big pet chain stores and therefore wouldn't be counted

 

[fish farmer]

i think its more a case of reef stores are saltwater only or salt and fresh while freshwater only stores no longer seem to exist and instead are part of big pet chain stores and therefore wouldn't be counted

Most of my fresh stores around here, also do salt. Places like PetSmart that only do freshwater also do other pets. I think the only exclusive freshwater store I've been to that still exists is south of Boston.

 

[wmv]

i think its more a case of reef stores are saltwater only or salt and fresh while freshwater only stores no longer seem to exist and instead are part of big pet chain stores and therefore wouldn't be counted

Makes sense, although Petco's seem to be about 50/50, at least by me.

 

[liddojunior]

I think depends on where you live

In LA, there is way more only freshwater stores than only saltwater stores. Lots of the reptile stores are also freshwater stores.

 

[Doctorgori]

I lived in Vegas, Phoenix, Columbus, and Cleveland …Easily since the mid 80’s SW seemed more prevalent, esp out west

 

[litsoh]

Very much so depends on where you live. Here we have 0 saltwater only stores and all but maybe like 2 or 3 stores apart from the Petco chain stores do freshwater only.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Not sure on the stat, but it’s all freshwater in my county. Most of the successful saltwater shops I have seen also have freshwater and reptiles. I think the reason is that the saltwater aquarium hobby is a very small sliver of the pet industry.

 

[jimfish98]

If I were to exclude chain stores like Petco and Petsmart, then Saltwater stores win out here locally. I can think of 4 locations with just saltwater fish. Freshwater I can only think of one. I am aware of three shops that are a mix.